Myanmar grants amnesty to nearly 3,000 prison inmates News
Myanmar grants amnesty to nearly 3,000 prison inmates

[JURIST] Government officials in Myanmar [government website; JURIST news archive] have granted amnesty to nearly three thousand prisoners, releasing them early in celebration of the country's Independence Day Thursday. Some 20 political prisoners were among the 2,831 released because their "moral behaviour and spiritual values have improved," according to a report in Myanmar's state-run newspaper the New Light of Myanmar [media website]. According to Myanmar's military government, a total of 23,147 prisoners have been granted amnesty since 2004.

Although accounts vary on the exact number of political prisoners released [Reuters report], it is clear that several prominent political prisoners, including National League for Democracy [Wikipedia backgrounder] leader Aung San Suu Kyi [advocacy website; BBC profile] and her deputy Tin Oo were not released. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.